Steve Yerman believes the Detroit Red Wings is a better team than last year

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William Austin
July 6, 2024 (9:41)

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As the dust settles on the 2024 NHL free agency, Executive Vice President and GM Steve Yzerman believes the depth and talent of the Detroit Red Wings new roster for the 2024-25 season have the club better positioned to succeed.

«I think we're in with that group of teams that has a chance to compete for the playoffs,» Yzerman said. «If we stay healthy, if our goaltending is good and players outplay your expectations, we might get in. Or you might just miss by a point on the last game of the season. That's the fine line of it all.»

Detroit made several key moves, re-signing Patrick Kane and extending qualifying offers to restricted free agents Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Jonatan Berggren, and Joe Veleno. Yzerman assured us that contracts would be made with these players.

The Red Wings stayed busy once free agency opened, signing defensemen William Lagesson and Erik Gustafsson, goalies Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell, and forwards Sheldon Dries and Joe Snively. They also re-signed Christian Fischer, Tyler Motte, and Vladimir Tarasenko, and traded Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender prospect Gage Alexander.

Yzerman expressed surprise at the market for depth players but said the Red Wings explored adding a big-name free agent. Detroit finished with 91 points last season, an 11-point improvement from 2022-23. Yzerman emphasized internal improvement, particularly from Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat, as key to taking another step forward.

Yzerman remains confident in his long-term vision for the Red Wings.

«We're still trying to put together that core of young guys who will be together and start to creep into the playoffs, hang around in the playoffs, then eventually win. That is the long-term plan,» he said.

Source: NHL.com
Yzerman discusses Red Wings free agency, offseason trades